A thing done; an effect produced; something not barely supposed or suspected, but really done.

In matter of fact there is some credit to be given to the testimony of man; but not in matter of opinion and judgment: we see the contrary both acknowledged and universally practised also throughout the world.Hooker, b. ii. s. 7.

As men are not to mistake the causes of these operations, so much less are they to mistake the fact or effect, and rashly to take that for done which is not done.Bacon's Nat. History.

Matter of fact breaks out and blazes with too great an evidence to be denied.South's Sermons.

Reality; not supposition; not speculation.

Those effects which are wrought by the percussion of the sense, and by things in fact, are produced likewise in some degree by the imagination: therefore if a man see another eat sour or acid things, which set the teeth on edge, that object tainteth the imagination.Bacon's Natural History, № 795.

If this were true in fact, I do not see any colour for such a conclusion.Addison on the State of the War.

Manifold sins, though in speculation they may be separable from war, in reality and fact never fail to attend it.Smalridge.

Action; deed.

Unhappy man! to break the pious laws Of nature, pleading in his children's cause:

Howe'er doubtful fact is understood, 'Tis love of honour and his country's good; The consul, not the father, sheds the blood.

Cite this page: Johnson, Samuel. "Fact." A Dictionary of the English Language: A Digital Edition of the 1755 Classic by Samuel Johnson. Edited by Brandi Besalke. Last modified: January 26, 2014. http://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/fact/.

Disclaimer: johnsonsdictionaryonline.com is completely free to use. Johnson's dictionary is in the public domain, but please respect the hours of work put into this site by linking to it or crediting it. This site assumes no liability for its content or for the content of external sites linked to it, and has no warranty or guarantee concerning accuracy or availability.